In order to avoid a red carpet Hindenburg, Anne Hathaway abandoned her plans to wear a "pink embroidered tulle illusion gown" by Valentino to the 2013 Oscars, opting instead for a pale pink Prada column gown that clashed with her Tiffany necklace and made it look like her headlights were permanently on.

So why'd she do it? Apparently, because her 'Les Miserables' castmate Amanda Seyfried's silvery Alexander McQueen dress was too similar to Anne's original choice.

But in the world of Hollywood, you can't just make a last-minute switch like that without insulting some very important people. And so ... Gowngate was born.

Hathaway felt she had no choice but to 86 the Valentino frock -- a diss made all the worse since the house designed her wedding gown last year and even sent out a press release announcing her as part of its red carpet lineup for the Oscars. So it was two slaps in the fashion face.

A source told Us Weekly that a weekend text exchange between the 'Les Mis' co-stars, wherein Seyfried shared a photo of her gown, lead to Hathaway bailing on Valentino at the 11th hour.

That begs the question – why didn't Seyfried opt for something else? Or was Hathaway being a fashion martyr, since she was so certain she'd be winning an Academy Award that she even practiced her speech? Probably a little easier to let a co-star one-up on the carpet when you know you're taking the gold.

Regardless, the pink Prada landed A. Hath on many worst dressed lists, while Seyfried's custom McQueen had her on plenty of best dressed ones.

But Anne had bigger problems -- she'd just insulted and embarrassed one of the world's most famous designers. So on Tuesday, she issued a statement begging for Valentino's forgiveness.

It came to my attention late Saturday night that there would be a dress worn to the Oscars that is remarkably similar to the Valentino I had intended to wear, and so I decided it was best for all involved to change my plans. Though I love the dress I did wear, it was a difficult last minute decision as I had so looked forward to wearing Valentino in honor of the deep and meaningful relationship I have enjoyed with the house and with Valentino himself. I deeply regret any disappointment caused.

For the record, this is what many insiders think she was going to wear. Stunning, right? Do you think she really "loved" the pink Prada her stylist Rachel Zoe managed to get her bony mitts on with such short notice? Or was she being a politician in the world of couture, speaking diplomatically so both designers will dress her again?

Seyfried may not have won the Oscar battle, but she certainly won the fashion war.